Bears Land Five on the Pro Bowl Team

It has been a bit since my last post—this due to a couple of things.  

First, I have not had the heart to do it in the face of one of the most disappointing seasons I can remember. One that started to look special fell apart as fast as it looked good.  

Secondly, with the holidays, I have been busy trying to hide what I spend from my wife so she could be surprised on Christmas for a change.

So sorry about that. But in a season filled with hope and sorrow, it looks like we may end on a bright note with the announcement of five Bears being named to the Pro Bowl. This is the most the Bears have sent since their Super Bowl season when they sent eight.

Of the five sent three are first timers. 

Charles Tillman: This is probably the most overdue of the Bears going. The eight year veteran will be going to his first Pro Bowl after a season that included 11 pass breakups, 107 tackles (3rd on the team), three forced fumbles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. 

Matt Forte: Forte becomes the first Bear running back in 20 years to be named to the Pro Bowl. Forte, who was put on the IR on Tuesday, led the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 1,487 and was third in rushing with 997 yards at the time of his injury. Because the Bears put him on the IR, he will not participate in the Pro Bowl, but an honor none-the-less. Neal Anderson was the last Bear running back to make a Pro Bowl back in 1991.

Brian Urlacher: Urlacher has been solid all season for the Bears. This marks his eighth selection. Urlacher has 125 tackles good for second on the team. He also is tied for the team lead in interceptions with three, he has recovered two fumbles with one going for a score. With this selection, Urlacher ties Dick Butkis, Doug Atkins and Bill George for the third most in franchise history behind only Walter Payton (nine and Mike Singletary (10).

Lance Briggs: Lance Briggs was selected to his seventh straight Pro Bowl. Briggs leads the team in tackles with 140 and also has one interception to go along with eight tackles-for-loss and two forced fumbles.

Corey Graham: The special teams ace was voted to his first Pro Bowl. He leads the Bears with 20 special-teams tackles.

Two other Bears were named first alternates—Julius Peppers and Devin Hester.

The Bears will be well represented in Hawaii on Jan 29.  I will post an outlook to the off-season later this week along with keys on Friday.

Let me know what you think and like always BEAR DOWN!